Following on from our Masters Of Slalom, it’s time for some of the top speed sailors in the world to share their wisdom and help you go that little bit faster…

Jacques van der Hout

1. As there are already so many variables in speed windsurfing to improve your speeds, try to sail on equipment that is proven to be fast. Another advantage is that you can check the settings of sail/ mast/board/fin combinations together with somebody who is using this already.

2. Sail as much as possible at a spot with a higher speed potential than your personal best. By getting used to higher speeds, it will help you to go faster and faster.

3. Always sail with a GPS and check your speeds after every run. This will help you to understand the influence of equipment changes / settings, gusts and different wind angles.

4. Try to sail together with other fast GPS speedsurfers, and try to communicate with each other as much as possible about the results. No matter who is faster, this will always help to raise the bar together.

5. Small fins are faster, but if the size is too small it will not lift your board from the surface to get better acceleration. If the fin is too big it will lift your board for sure but you will get control problems at high speeds, try to take the perfect size.

6. Make sure to sail your speed runs on the best moment of the day. With increasing wind don’t waste your energy too early, with decreasing wind try to get in 5 good runs quickly, and after this try to improve them.

7. On a square course you need to slingshot to get high peak speeds, this peak speed will help you to have higher 10 seconds runs. Make sure not to slingshot yourself downwind too early but after 6 or 7 seconds sailing on full speed on the square course. After this you only need 3 to 4 seconds more before you need to brake because of wild water.

8. You will get the best peak speeds with slingshots in big gusts, but the best 10 second runs you will get when you do not bear off too much – but try to keep pressure on the fin as long as possible.

9. Runs that cost you a lot of energy and musclepower, are slower compared to the runs which feels super relaxed and in control just hanging on your rig. So try to get yourself in the gust and let yourself go with the flow.

10. A real speedsurfer/record-hunter needs commitment to get out of bed early, drive sometimes big distances to get yourself to a good spot, and try to be flexible as you can’t miss the perfect day when all your friends are breaking records.